Display panel and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides a display panel and a method for manufacturing the same. The display panel includes a functional area, a transition area arranged at the periphery of the functional area, and a display area arranged at the periphery of the transition area. The display panel also includes a substrate, and at least one first groove is provided on the transition area of ​​the substrate. The embodiment of the present application arranges a first organic material layer in the first undercut area and / or the second undercut area in the first groove, and can use the first organic material layer to fill the first undercut area and / or the second undercut area, thereby avoiding the second inorganic barrier layer from being directly deposited on the first inorganic barrier layer on the inner surface of the first undercut area and / or the second undercut area, thereby avoiding the situation where the first inorganic barrier layer and the second inorganic barrier layer are stacked on the bent inner surface of the first undercut area and / or the second undercut area, resulting in stress concentration and easy fracture. Therefore, the packaging reliability of the display panel of the embodiment of the present application is good and the product service life is long.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of display, and in particular to a display panel and a manufacturing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display devices are widely used due to their advantages such as self-luminescence, fast response speed, wide viewing angle, and flexible display.

[0003] In order to achieve a narrow-frame design for OLED display panels and increase the screen-to-body ratio, an existing technical solution is to dig a hole in the display screen of the OLED display panel to form an O-shaped through-hole (O-cut), and place components such as a camera below the O-shaped through-hole. In order to prevent the OLED light-emitting material layer from forming a water vapor intrusion channel and causing packaging failure of the display area, multiple grooves are usually provided on the periphery of the O-shaped through-hole, and the lower end of the groove has an undercut structure. When packaging the OLED device, multiple layers of inorganic barrier layers are usually continuously deposited on the groove walls and bottom of the groove, and the multiple layers of inorganic barrier layers all cover the inner surface of the undercut structure. Since the inner surface of the undercut structure is curved, the portion of the multiple layers of inorganic barrier layers located on the inner surface of the undercut structure is prone to stress concentration and thus easy fracture when subjected to stress (such as bending or stretching), thereby causing packaging failure. At this time, the OLED display panel is susceptible to water and oxygen intrusion, resulting in a shortened product life. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a display panel and a manufacturing method thereof. The display panel has high packaging reliability and a long product service life.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a display panel, comprising a functional area, a transition area disposed outside the functional area, and a display area disposed outside the transition area;

[0006] The display panel also includes a substrate, and at least one first groove is provided on the transition area of ​​the substrate, the first groove includes a first portion close to the opening of the first groove and a second portion close to the bottom of the first groove, the first portion has a first side arranged close to the display area and a second side arranged close to the functional area, the second portion has a first undercut area extending from the first side toward the display area and a second undercut area extending from the second side toward the functional area, and a first inorganic barrier layer, a first organic material layer, and a second inorganic barrier layer are provided in the first groove, which are stacked in sequence, wherein the first inorganic barrier layer covers the groove wall and the groove bottom of the first groove, the first organic material layer is distributed in at least one of the first undercut area and the second undercut area, and the second inorganic barrier layer covers the first organic material layer and the first inorganic barrier layer.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first organic material layer includes a first organic layer and a second organic layer, the first organic layer is disposed in the first undercut region, the second organic layer is disposed in the second undercut region, and the first organic layer and the second organic layer are not connected.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first organic material layer includes an organic material and a water-absorbing material and / or a water-blocking material dispersed in the organic material.

[0009] In some embodiments, the water-absorbing material includes at least one of calcium oxide and silica gel, and the water-blocking material includes at least one of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride.

[0010] In some embodiments, at least one retaining wall is further provided on the transition region of the substrate, and the retaining wall is provided on a side of at least one of the first grooves that is closest to the display region and faces the display region.

[0011] In some embodiments, at least one second groove is further provided on the transition zone of the substrate, and the second groove is provided on the side of the retaining wall closest to the display area among at least one retaining wall facing the display area, and the end of the second groove close to the bottom of the groove has a third undercut area extending toward the display area and a fourth undercut area extending toward the functional area.

[0012] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for manufacturing a display panel, comprising:

[0013] A substrate is provided, comprising a functional area, a transition area disposed periphery of the functional area, and a display area disposed periphery of the transition area; at least one first groove is disposed in the transition area of ​​the substrate, the first groove comprising a first portion proximate to an opening of the first groove and a second portion proximate to a bottom of the first groove, the first portion having a first side disposed proximate to the display area and a second side disposed proximate to the functional area, the second portion having a first undercut region extending from the first side toward the display area and a second undercut region extending from the second side toward the functional area;

[0014] providing a display function layer on the substrate;

[0015] Disposing a first inorganic barrier layer on the substrate and the display function layer, wherein the first inorganic barrier layer covers the groove wall and the groove bottom of the first groove;

[0016] Disposing a first organic material layer on a portion of the first inorganic barrier layer located in the first groove, wherein the first organic material layer is distributed in at least one of the first undercut region and the second undercut region;

[0017] A second inorganic barrier layer is disposed on the first organic material layer. At the first groove, the second inorganic barrier layer covers the first organic material layer and the first inorganic barrier layer.

[0018] In some embodiments, before, after, or simultaneously with disposing a first organic material layer on a portion of the first inorganic barrier layer corresponding to the transition region, a second organic material layer is disposed on a portion of the first inorganic barrier layer corresponding to the display region.

[0019] In some embodiments, disposing a first organic material layer on a portion of the first inorganic barrier layer corresponding to the transition region includes: disposing the first organic material layer by inkjet printing.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first organic material layer includes a first organic layer and a second organic layer, the first organic layer is disposed in the first undercut region, the second organic layer is disposed in the second undercut region, and the first organic layer and the second organic layer are not connected.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first organic material layer includes an organic material and a water-absorbing material and / or a water-blocking material dispersed in the organic material.

[0022] In some embodiments, the water-absorbing material includes at least one of calcium oxide and silica gel, and the water-blocking material includes at least one of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride.

[0023] In some embodiments, at least one second groove is further provided on the transition region of the substrate. The second groove is provided on a side of the at least one first groove that is closest to the display region and faces the display region. An end of the second groove near the bottom of the groove has a third undercut region extending toward the display region and a fourth undercut region extending toward the functional region.

[0024] Before, after or simultaneously with setting the display functional layer on the substrate, at least one retaining wall is set on the transition area of ​​the substrate; the retaining wall is set between one of the at least one first groove that is closest to the display area and one of the at least one second groove that is closest to the functional area.

[0025] The display panel provided by the embodiment of the present application, by disposing a first organic material layer in the first undercut region and / or the second undercut region within the first groove, can use the first organic material layer to fill the first undercut region and / or the second undercut region, thereby preventing the second inorganic barrier layer from being directly deposited on the first inorganic barrier layer on the inner surface of the first undercut region and / or the second undercut region. This avoids the situation where the first inorganic barrier layer and the second inorganic barrier layer are stacked on the curved inner surface of the first undercut region and / or the second undercut region, causing stress concentration and thus easy fracture. Therefore, compared with existing display panels, the display panel of the embodiment of the present application is less likely to have the problem of inorganic barrier layer fracture in the first groove, has better packaging reliability, and has a longer product life. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can also derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort.

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic top view of a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel along the AA direction.

[0029] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the enlarged area B.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 5A schematic structural diagram of the substrate provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Schematic enlargement of the middle area B1.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present application after a display function layer is provided on a substrate.

[0034] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Schematic enlargement of the middle area B2.

[0035] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram after a first inorganic barrier layer is provided on a substrate and a display function layer according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Figure 10 for Figure 9 Schematic enlargement of the middle area B3.

[0037] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present application after a first organic material layer is disposed on a portion of the first inorganic barrier layer located within the first trench.

[0038] Figure 12 for Figure 11 Schematic enlargement of the middle area B4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0040] See also Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 1 This is a schematic top view of a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel along the AA direction, Figure 3 for Figure 2 An enlarged schematic diagram of the middle region B. The embodiment of the present application provides a display panel 100 , including a functional region 110 , a transition region 120 disposed around the functional region 110 , and a display region 130 disposed around the transition region 120 .

[0041] The display panel 100 also includes a substrate 10. At least one first groove 11 is provided on the transition region 120 of the substrate 10. The first groove 11 includes a first portion 111 near the opening of the first groove 11 and a second portion 112 near the bottom of the first groove 11. The first portion 111 has a first side 21 arranged near the display area 130 and a second side 22 arranged near the functional area 110. The second portion 112 has a first undercut region 23 extending from the first side 21 toward the display area 130 and a second undercut region 24 extending from the second side 22 toward the functional area 110. A first inorganic barrier layer 31, a first organic material layer 41, and a second inorganic barrier layer 32 are provided in the first groove 11, wherein the first inorganic barrier layer 31 covers the groove wall and the groove bottom of the first groove 11, the first organic material layer 41 is distributed in at least one of the first undercut region 23 and the second undercut region 24, and the second inorganic barrier layer 32 covers the first organic material layer 41 and the first inorganic barrier layer 31.

[0042] For example, an opening 115 may be provided in the functional area 110 of the display panel 100 , and functional elements such as a camera, an earpiece, and various sensors may be provided in the opening 115 to realize functions such as an under-screen camera and an under-screen fingerprint.

[0043] It should be noted that the purpose of setting the transition area 120 is to achieve a smooth transition from the functional area 110 to the display area 130, so as to reduce the impact of the functional area 110 on the display area 130. By setting the first groove 11 in the transition area 120, the first groove 11 can be used to isolate the OLED light-emitting material layer, thereby blocking the water and oxygen intrusion channel and improving the packaging reliability of the display panel 100.

[0044] In the embodiments of the present application, at least one refers to one or more, and a plurality refers to two or more, for example, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, etc.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the transition region 120 of the substrate 10 may be provided with a plurality of first grooves 11, which are sequentially spaced apart in a direction from the functional region 110 to the display region 130. For example, the plurality of first grooves 11 may all be annular, that is, the plurality of first grooves 11 may be nested in a ring-like arrangement. In other embodiments, a single first groove 11 may be provided in the transition region 120 of the substrate 10.

[0046] Please combine Figure 2 and Figure 3The substrate 10 may include a flexible film 101 and an inorganic film 102 that are stacked, wherein the first portion 111 of the first groove 11 may be disposed on the inorganic film 102, and the second portion 112 of the first groove 11 may be disposed on the flexible film 101; it is understood that the substrate 10 may further include more flexible films 101 and inorganic films 102, forming a structure in which multiple flexible films 101 and inorganic films 102 are alternately stacked; illustratively, the material of the flexible film 101 may be polyimide (PI), and the material of the inorganic film 102 may be silicon oxide (SiO x ), wherein the inorganic film 102 can play a role in blocking water and oxygen.

[0047] For example, the material of the first inorganic barrier layer 31 and the material of the second inorganic barrier layer 32 may both include silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxynitride (SiO x N y It is understandable that both the first inorganic barrier layer 31 and the second inorganic barrier layer 32 can function to block water vapor and oxygen.

[0048] The display panel 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application, by disposing the first organic material layer 41 in the first undercut region 23 and / or the second undercut region 24 within the first groove 11, can use the first organic material layer 41 to fill the first undercut region 23 and / or the second undercut region 24, thereby preventing the second inorganic barrier layer 32 from being directly deposited on the first inorganic barrier layer 31 on the inner surface of the first undercut region 23 and / or the second undercut region 24. This avoids the situation where the first inorganic barrier layer 31 and the second inorganic barrier layer 32 are stacked on the curved inner surface of the first undercut region 23 and / or the second undercut region 24, resulting in stress concentration and easy fracture. Therefore, compared with existing display panels, the display panel 100 of the embodiment of the present application is less likely to have the problem of inorganic barrier layer fracture in the first groove 11, has better packaging reliability, and has a longer product life.

[0049] Please combine Figure 3 The first organic material layer 41 includes a first organic layer 411 and a second organic layer 412 . The first organic layer 411 is disposed in the first undercut region 23 , and the second organic layer 412 is disposed in the second undercut region 24 . Furthermore, the first organic layer 411 and the second organic layer 412 are not connected.

[0050] Please combine Figure 2 and Figure 3, it can be seen that the portion of the first inorganic barrier layer 31 located at the bottom of the first trench 11 is convex. It is understood that when the portion of the first inorganic barrier layer 31 located at the bottom of the first trench 11 is convex, the first organic layer 411 and the second organic layer 412 are more easily separated during the inkjet printing process, so that the inks used to prepare the first organic layer 411 and the second organic layer 412 are not connected.

[0051] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, by setting a first organic layer 411 in the first undercut area 23 and a second organic layer 412 in the second undercut area 24, the first organic layer 411 and the second organic layer 412 can be used to fill the first undercut area 23 and the second undercut area 24 respectively. When the first undercut area 23 and the second undercut area 24 are both filled, the first inorganic barrier layer 31 and the second inorganic barrier layer 32 will not be stacked on the inner surfaces of the first undercut area 23 and the second undercut area 24, thereby avoiding the situation where the two layers of inorganic barrier layers are stacked on the curved inner surfaces of the first undercut area 23 and the second undercut area 24, resulting in stress concentration and easy breakage, thereby improving the packaging reliability of the display panel 100. In addition, since organic materials have a weak ability to block water and oxygen, the embodiment of the present application designs the first organic layer 411 and the second organic layer 412 to be unconnected, that is, to separate the first organic layer 411 and the second organic layer 412, to avoid the first organic layer 411 and the second organic layer 412 being connected to form a water and oxygen intrusion channel, thereby ensuring the packaging reliability of the display panel 100.

[0052] Illustratively, the first organic material layer 41 includes an organic material and a water-absorbing material and / or a water-blocking material dispersed in the organic material. Illustratively, the organic material may include one or more of acrylic resin, polyacrylate, polycarbonate, and epoxy resin. Illustratively, the water-absorbing material includes at least one of calcium oxide and silica gel, and the water-blocking material includes at least one of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride.

[0053] For example, the mass percentage of the water-absorbing material and / or the water-blocking material in the first organic material layer 41 may be 0.1 wt% to 30 wt%, for example, 0.1 wt%, 0.5 wt%, 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%, 25 wt%, 30 wt%, etc. In other words, when the first organic material layer 41 only contains the water-absorbing material, the mass percentage of the water-absorbing material is 0.1 wt% to 30 wt%; when the first organic material layer 41 only contains the water-blocking material, the mass percentage of the water-blocking material is 0.1 wt% to 30 wt%; when the first organic material layer 41 contains both the water-absorbing material and the water-blocking material, the sum of the mass percentages of the water-absorbing material and the water-blocking material is 0.1 wt% to 30 wt%. Exemplarily, when the first organic material layer 41 contains both water-absorbing material and water-blocking material, the mass ratio of the water-absorbing material to the water-blocking material can be (1-5):(1-5), for example, 1:5, 1:4, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, etc.

[0054] Illustratively, the particle size of the water absorbing material and the particle size of the water blocking material are both 10 nm to 10 μm, for example, 10 nm, 30 nm, 50 nm, 70 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 50 nm, 800 nm, 1 μm, 3 μm, 5 μm, 7 μm, 10 μm, etc.

[0055] It should be noted that when a water-absorbing material is provided in the first organic material layer 41, when the second inorganic barrier layer 32 is broken, the water-absorbing material can absorb water vapor entering from the broken part of the second inorganic barrier layer 32. Since water can be stored in the water-absorbing material (for example, when the water-absorbing material is calcium oxide, calcium oxide can absorb water and become calcium hydroxide), the invasion of water vapor can be delayed, thereby improving the packaging reliability of the product; when a water-blocking material is provided in the first organic material layer 41, when the second inorganic barrier layer 32 is broken, the water-blocking material can block the water vapor entering from the broken part of the second inorganic barrier layer 32. Since the water vapor is blocked on the outside of the first organic material layer 41, the invasion of water vapor can be delayed, thereby improving the packaging reliability of the product.

[0056] Please combine Figure 2 The display area 130 of the display panel 100 includes a substrate 10, a display function layer 54, a first inorganic barrier layer 31, a second organic material layer 42 and a second inorganic barrier layer 32 which are stacked in sequence;

[0057] At least one retaining wall 13 is further provided on the transition region 120 of the substrate 10 , and the retaining wall 13 is provided on a side of the at least one first trench 11 closest to the display region 130 and facing the display region 130 .

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, a retaining wall 13 may be provided on the transition region 120 of the substrate 10. In other embodiments, multiple retaining walls 13 may be provided on the transition region 120 of the substrate 10, with the multiple retaining walls 13 being sequentially spaced and arranged in a direction from the functional region 110 to the display region 130. For example, the multiple retaining walls 13 may all be annular, that is, the multiple retaining walls 13 may be nested in a ring-like arrangement.

[0059] It should be noted that the function of the retaining wall 13 is to prevent the overflow of inkjet printing ink when the second organic material layer 42 is prepared in the display area 130 by inkjet printing or other methods.

[0060] Please combine Figure 2 A light-transmitting organic material 56 may be provided in the area surrounded by the barrier wall 13 on the transition area 120 of the display panel 100 , so that the upper surface of the transition area 120 of the display panel 100 is flush with the upper surface of the display area 130 .

[0061] For example, the display function layer 54 may include a stacked OLED light-emitting material layer and an OLED cathode, etc. In some embodiments, the display function layer 54 may also include structural layers such as a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), an electron injection layer (EIL), and an electron transport layer (ETL).

[0062] Please combine Figure 2 The display area 130 of the display panel 100 may further include an OLED anode 53 and a pixel definition layer 52 arranged on the substrate 10, the pixel definition layer 52 has an opening, the OLED anode 53 is arranged below the opening, and the display function layer 54 covers the OLED anode 53.

[0063] Please combine Figure 2 The display area 130 of the display panel 100 may further include a planar layer 51 disposed between the substrate 10 and the OLED anode 53. For example, the retaining wall 13 and the planar layer 51 may be formed in the same process, that is, the retaining wall 13 and the planar layer 51 may be made of the same material. For example, the retaining wall 13 and the planar layer 51 may both be made of organic materials.

[0064] Please combine Figure 2 The display area 130 of the display panel 100 may further include a light extraction layer 55 disposed between the display function layer 54 and the first inorganic barrier layer 31 to improve the light extraction efficiency of the OLED device.

[0065] Exemplarily, the display area 130 of the display panel 100 may further include an adhesive layer (not shown) arranged between the light extraction layer 55 and the first inorganic barrier layer 31. The material of the adhesive layer may include lithium fluoride (LiF). It can be understood that the adhesive layer can play a role in enhancing the adhesion between the light extraction layer 55 and the first inorganic barrier layer 31.

[0066] Please combine Figure 2 At least one second groove 12 is also provided on the transition region 120 of the substrate 10. When a retaining wall 13 is provided on the transition region 120 of the substrate 10, the second groove 12 is provided on the side of the retaining wall 13 facing the display region 130. The end of the second groove 12 near the bottom of the groove has a third undercut region extending toward the display region 130 and a fourth undercut region extending toward the functional region 110. In other words, similar to the first groove 11, the second groove 12 also has an undercut structure. It is understandable that the second groove 12 can also serve to isolate the OLED light-emitting material layer and cut off the channel for water vapor intrusion. When the barrier function of the first groove 11 located outside the second groove 12 fails, the second groove 12 located closer to the display region 130 can serve to block water and oxygen, ensuring that the OLED device in the display region 130 is not corroded by water and oxygen, thereby improving packaging reliability. In some embodiments, the shapes and sizes of the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 are exactly the same.

[0067] It is understandable that when a plurality of retaining walls 13 are provided on the transition region 120 of the substrate 10 , the second groove 12 is provided on a side of a retaining wall 13 closest to the display region 130 facing the display region 130 .

[0068] like Figure 2 As shown, a second groove 12 may be provided in the transition region 120 of the substrate 10. In other embodiments, a plurality of second grooves 12 may be provided in the transition region 120 of the substrate 10, and the plurality of second grooves 12 may be sequentially spaced apart in a direction from the functional region 110 to the display region 130. For example, the plurality of second grooves 12 may all be annular, that is, the plurality of second grooves 12 may be nested in a ring.

[0069] Please combine Figure 2 and Figure 3 It can be seen that when the second groove 12 is provided on the transition region 120 of the substrate 10, the second organic material layer 42 will extend into the second groove 12, so that the second groove 12 is filled with organic material. This is because when the second organic material layer 42 is produced by inkjet printing or other methods, the ink of the second organic material layer 42 will flow into the second groove 12, that is, the second groove 12 can prevent the overflow of inkjet printing ink to a certain extent.

[0070] Exemplarily, the first groove 11, the second groove 12 and the retaining wall 13 can all be closed structures connected end to end and uninterrupted in the middle. The shapes of the first groove 11, the second groove 12 and the retaining wall 13 can be, for example, circular, elliptical, rectangular, square, star-shaped, irregular, etc.

[0071] For example, in the display area 130 of the display panel 100, an inorganic barrier layer and an organic material layer may be alternately stacked above the second inorganic barrier layer 32 to further enhance the encapsulation effect of the display area 130. For example, in the transition area 120 of the display panel 100, multiple inorganic barrier layers may be disposed above the second inorganic barrier layer 32 to further enhance the water and oxygen barrier function of the transition area 120.

[0072] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 Flowchart of a method for manufacturing a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present application. The present application provides a method for manufacturing a display panel, comprising:

[0073] S100, see Figure 5 and Figure 6 A substrate 10 is provided, the substrate 10 includes a functional area 110, a transition area 120 arranged at the periphery of the functional area 110, and a display area 130 arranged at the periphery of the transition area 120; at least one first groove 11 is provided on the transition area 120 of the substrate 10, the first groove 11 includes a first portion 111 close to the opening of the first groove 11 and a second portion 112 close to the bottom of the first groove 11, the first portion 111 has a first side 21 arranged close to the display area 130 and a second side 22 arranged close to the functional area 110, the second portion 112 has a first undercut area 23 extending from the first side 21 toward the display area 130 and a second undercut area 24 extending from the second side 22 toward the functional area 110.

[0074] Please combine Figure 5 and Figure 6 At least one second groove 12 is also provided on the transition zone 120 of the substrate 10. The second groove 12 is provided on the side of the at least one first groove 11 that is closest to the display area 130 and faces the display area 130. The end of the second groove 12 close to the bottom of the groove has a third undercut area extending toward the display area 130 and a fourth undercut area extending toward the functional area 110.

[0075] Please combine Figure 6The depth w1 of the first undercut region 23 and the depth w2 of the second undercut region 24 can be 1μm to 2μm, for example, 1μm, 1.2μm, 1.5μm, 1.7μm, 2μm, etc., and the height h1 of the first undercut region 23 and the height h2 of the first undercut region 23 can be 1.5μm to 2.5μm, for example, 1.2μm, 1.5μm, 1.7μm, 2μm, 2.2μm, 2.5μm, etc.

[0076] S200, see Figure 7 and Figure 8 , a display function layer 54 is provided on the substrate 10 .

[0077] For example, the display function layer 54 may include a stacked OLED light-emitting material layer and an OLED cathode.

[0078] Please combine Figure 7 and Figure 8 It can be seen that since the bottoms of the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 have an undercut structure, the display function layer 54 is disconnected at the positions of the first groove 11 and the second groove 12, that is, the portion of the display function layer 54 located in the first groove 11 is not connected to the portion of the display function layer 54 located outside the first groove 11, and the portion of the display function layer 54 located in the second groove 12 is not connected to the portion of the display function layer 54 located outside the second groove 12, thereby achieving the isolation of the OLED light-emitting material layer and blocking the water and oxygen intrusion channel.

[0079] Please combine Figure 7 Before setting the display function layer 54 on the substrate 10, an OLED anode 53 and a pixel definition layer 52 can also be set on the substrate 10 in sequence. An opening is provided on the pixel definition layer 52, and the OLED anode 53 is set below the opening. The display function layer 54 covers the OLED anode 53.

[0080] Please combine Figure 7 Before setting the OLED anode 53 on the display area 130 of the substrate 10 , a planar layer 51 may be further set on the substrate 10 , and the OLED anode 53 and the pixel definition layer 52 are both set on the planar layer 51 .

[0081] Please combine Figure 7 Before, after or at the same time as the display function layer 54 is set on the substrate 10, at least one retaining wall 13 is set on the transition area 120 of the substrate 10; the retaining wall 13 is set between a first groove 11 in the at least one first groove 11 that is closest to the display area 130 and a second groove 12 in the at least one second groove 12 that is closest to the functional area 110.

[0082] Exemplarily, the retaining wall 13 and the planar layer 51 may be formed in the same process, that is, the retaining wall 13 and the planar layer 51 are made of the same material (eg, organic material).

[0083] Please combine Figure 7 and Figure 8 After the display function layer 54 is provided on the substrate 10 , a light extraction layer 55 may be further provided on the display function layer 54 to improve the light extraction efficiency of the OLED device.

[0084] For example, after the light extraction layer 55 is provided on the display function layer 54, an adhesive layer (not shown) may also be provided on the light extraction layer 55 to enhance the adhesion between the light extraction layer 55 and the first inorganic barrier layer 31. The material of the adhesive layer may include lithium fluoride (LiF).

[0085] S300, see Figure 9 and Figure 10 A first inorganic barrier layer 31 is disposed on the substrate 10 and the display function layer 54 , and the first inorganic barrier layer 31 covers the groove wall and groove bottom of the first groove 11 .

[0086] Please combine Figure 9 and Figure 10 When the bottom of the first groove 11 is provided with structural layers such as the display function layer 54, the light extraction layer 55, and the adhesive layer, the first inorganic barrier layer 31 covers the portion of the structural layers such as the display function layer 54, the light extraction layer 55, and the adhesive layer located within the first groove 11.

[0087] For example, the first inorganic barrier layer 31 may be formed by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) or atomic layer deposition (ALD). Figure 9 and Figure 10 It can be seen that since the material is affected by the topography of the first undercut region 23 and the second undercut region 24 during the deposition process, the portion of the first inorganic barrier layer 31 located at the bottom of the first trench 11 is convex.

[0088] S400, see Figure 11 and Figure 12 A first organic material layer 41 is disposed on the portion of the first inorganic barrier layer 31 located in the first trench 11 , and the first organic material layer 41 is distributed in at least one of the first undercut region 23 and the second undercut region 24 .

[0089] Please combine Figure 11 and Figure 12The first organic material layer 41 includes a first organic layer 411 and a second organic layer 412 . The first organic layer 411 is disposed in the first undercut region 23 , and the second organic layer 412 is disposed in the second undercut region 24 . Furthermore, the first organic layer 411 and the second organic layer 412 are not connected.

[0090] Please combine Figure 12 It can be seen that when the portion of the first inorganic barrier layer 31 located at the bottom of the first trench 11 is convex, the first organic layer 411 and the second organic layer 412 are more easily separated.

[0091] Exemplarily, the material of the first organic material layer 41 includes an organic material and a water-absorbing material and / or a water-blocking material dispersed in the organic material.

[0092] Illustratively, the water-absorbing material includes at least one of calcium oxide and silica gel, and the water-blocking material includes at least one of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride.

[0093] Please combine Figure 11 Before, after, or simultaneously with the first organic material layer 41 being formed on the portion of the first inorganic barrier layer 31 corresponding to the transition region 120, a second organic material layer 42 is formed on the portion of the first inorganic barrier layer 31 corresponding to the display region 130. It will be appreciated that the second organic material layer 42 can act as a buffer between the first inorganic barrier layer 31 and the second inorganic barrier layer 32, thereby improving the flexibility and impact resistance of the thin-film encapsulation layer. When the transition region 120 of the substrate 10 is further provided with a second groove 12, when the second organic material layer 42 is formed using methods such as inkjet printing, the ink of the second organic material layer 42 will flow into the second groove 12. In other words, the second groove 12 can also, to a certain extent, prevent overflow.

[0094] Illustratively, disposing the first organic material layer 41 on the portion of the first inorganic barrier layer 31 corresponding to the transition region 120 includes: disposing the first organic material layer 41 using an inkjet printing method. It is understood that because the disposition site of the first organic material layer 41 needs to be precisely positioned to the first undercut region 23 and / or the second undercut region 24 of the first trench 11, a high-precision inkjet printing device is required to achieve precise positioning of the first organic material layer 41.

[0095] For example, when the first organic material layer 41 is formed by inkjet printing, the viscosity of the ink can be controlled to be 20 cps to 30 cps (eg, 20 cps, 22 cps, 25 cps, 28 cps, 30 cps, etc.) so that the ink has better fluidity.

[0096] S500, please combine Figure 2 and Figure 3 A second inorganic barrier layer 32 is disposed on the first organic material layer 41 . At the first trench 11 , the second inorganic barrier layer 32 covers the first organic material layer 41 and the first inorganic barrier layer 31 .

[0097] For example, the second inorganic barrier layer 32 may be formed by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) or atomic layer deposition (ALD).

[0098] Please combine Figure 2 After the second inorganic barrier layer 32 is provided on the first organic material layer 41 , a light-transmitting organic material 56 may be further provided in the area surrounded by the barrier wall 13 on the obtained substrate so that the upper surface of the transition area 120 of the obtained display panel 100 is flush with the upper surface of the display area 130 .

[0099] Please combine Figure 2 After the second inorganic barrier layer 32 is provided, the functional area 110 of the obtained substrate may be bored to form an opening 115. For example, the functional area 110 of the obtained substrate may be bored using a process such as laser cutting.

[0100] For example, before drilling the functional area 110 of the obtained substrate, structures such as touch electrodes and circular polarizers may be disposed above the second inorganic barrier layer 32 , and structures such as a protective film may be disposed below the substrate 10 .

[0101] The display panel and its manufacturing method provided by the embodiments of the present application are described in detail above. Specific examples are used herein to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only intended to facilitate understanding of the present application. At the same time, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, based on the concepts of the present application, variations in the specific implementation methods and scope of application may occur. In summary, the contents of this specification should not be construed as limiting the present application.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that: It comprises a functional area, a transition area arranged at the periphery of the functional area, and a display area arranged at the periphery of the transition area; The display panel also includes a substrate, and at least one first groove is provided on the transition area of ​​the substrate, the first groove includes a first portion close to the opening of the first groove and a second portion close to the bottom of the first groove, the first portion has a first side arranged close to the display area and a second side arranged close to the functional area, the second portion has a first undercut area extending from the first side toward the display area and a second undercut area extending from the second side toward the functional area, a first inorganic barrier layer, a first organic material layer, and a second inorganic barrier layer stacked in sequence are provided in the first groove, wherein the first inorganic barrier layer covers the groove wall and groove bottom of the first groove, the portion of the first inorganic barrier layer located at the groove bottom of the first groove is convex, the first organic material layer is distributed in at least one of the first undercut area and the second undercut area, and the second inorganic barrier layer covers the first organic material layer and the first inorganic barrier layer.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The first organic material layer includes a first organic layer and a second organic layer. The first organic layer is disposed in the first undercut region, the second organic layer is disposed in the second undercut region, and the first organic layer and the second organic layer are not connected.

3. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The first organic material layer includes an organic material and a water-absorbing material and / or a water-blocking material dispersed in the organic material.

4. The display panel according to claim 3, wherein: The water-absorbing material includes at least one of calcium oxide and silica gel, and the water-blocking material includes at least one of silicon oxide, silicon nitride and silicon oxynitride.

5. The display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: At least one retaining wall is further provided on the transition region of the substrate, and the retaining wall is provided on a side of the at least one first groove closest to the display region facing the display region.

6. The display panel according to claim 5, wherein: At least one second groove is also provided on the transition area of ​​the substrate, and the second groove is provided on a side of the at least one retaining wall that is closest to the display area and faces the display area. The second groove has a third undercut area extending toward the display area and a fourth undercut area extending toward the functional area at one end close to the bottom of the groove.

7. The display panel according to claim 6, wherein: An organic material is disposed in the second groove.

8. A method for manufacturing a display panel, characterized in that: include: Providing a substrate, the substrate comprising a functional area, a transition area disposed on the periphery of the functional area, and a display area disposed on the periphery of the transition area; At least one first trench is provided in the transition region of the substrate, the first trench including a first portion close to an opening of the first trench and a second portion close to a bottom of the first trench, the first portion having a first side close to the display region and a second side close to the functional region, the second portion having a first undercut region extending from the first side toward the display region and a second undercut region extending from the second side toward the functional region; providing a display function layer on the substrate; Disposing a first inorganic barrier layer on the substrate and the display function layer, wherein the first inorganic barrier layer covers the groove wall and groove bottom of the first groove, and a portion of the first inorganic barrier layer located at the groove bottom of the first groove is convex; Disposing a first organic material layer on a portion of the first inorganic barrier layer located in the first groove, wherein the first organic material layer is distributed in at least one of the first undercut region and the second undercut region; A second inorganic barrier layer is disposed on the first organic material layer. At the first groove, the second inorganic barrier layer covers the first organic material layer and the first inorganic barrier layer.

9. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 8, wherein: Before, after, or simultaneously with disposing a first organic material layer on a portion of the first inorganic barrier layer corresponding to the transition region, a second organic material layer is disposed on a portion of the first inorganic barrier layer corresponding to the display region.

10. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 8, wherein: The step of providing a first organic material layer on a portion of the first inorganic barrier layer corresponding to the transition region includes providing the first organic material layer by inkjet printing.

11. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 8, wherein: The first organic material layer includes a first organic layer and a second organic layer. The first organic layer is disposed in the first undercut region, the second organic layer is disposed in the second undercut region, and the first organic layer and the second organic layer are not connected.

12. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 8, wherein: The first organic material layer includes an organic material and a water-absorbing material and / or a water-blocking material dispersed in the organic material.

13. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 12, wherein: The water-absorbing material includes at least one of calcium oxide and silica gel, and the water-blocking material includes at least one of silicon oxide, silicon nitride and silicon oxynitride.

14. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein: At least one second groove is further provided on the transition region of the substrate. The second groove is provided on a side of the at least one first groove that is closest to the display region and faces the display region. An end of the second groove near the bottom of the groove has a third undercut region extending toward the display region and a fourth undercut region extending toward the functional region. Before, after or simultaneously with providing a display function layer on the substrate, providing at least one retaining wall on the transition region of the substrate; The retaining wall is provided between one of the at least one first grooves that is closest to the display area and one of the at least one second grooves that is closest to the functional area.

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